Office of Regulatory Staff seeks authorization for 19 FTEs tied to Act 41 and a one-time energy study

Andrew Bateman, executive director of the Office of Regulatory Staff, asked the Senate Finance Transportation Regulatory Subcommittee to authorize 19 additional full‑time equivalents to implement obligations created by House Bill 3309 (Act 41). Bateman said the request includes 10 FTEs for core Act 41 duties, one FTE specifically for a 10‑year energy study and eight conditional FTEs tied to the Electric Rate Stabilization Act (ERSA). Bateman said the ERSA-linked positions would only be filled if investor‑owned utilities elect into the statute.

Bateman described the funding request as two parts: an other‑funds recurring authorization of about $3,220,000 to cover additional workload funded through regulated utilities, and a general‑fund, nonrecurring request of $689,942 to pay for the proposed 10‑year energy study. "We are requesting authorization for 19 additional FTEs," Bateman said. He told members the $689,942 study would be procured through an outside consultant and that staff are drafting a proviso to enable flexible procurement to meet time‑sensitive policy needs.

On ERSA, Bateman explained the statute ties two FTEs to each participating investor‑owned utility. He said there are four such utilities in the state, which is how ORS calculated eight conditional positions. "Those 8 FTEs . . . we wouldn't seek unless the utility elects in to the Electric Rate Stabilization Act," Bateman said, characterizing the request as authorization rather than immediate hiring.

Bateman also highlighted ORS performance metrics, saying the agency returned more than $177 million to ratepayers in fiscal 2024–25 as evidence of its oversight role before the Public Service Commission. On broadband, he said remaining unserved or uncommitted locations had dropped from roughly 22,000 in June 2025 to just north of 20,000 and that South Carolina has just over $551 million in BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) funds allocated to solve remaining gaps.

Committee members pressed for clarity on historic authorized FTEs, reductions enacted after a proviso review, and whether the ERSA positions must appear in this year's budget; Bateman reiterated the agency sought authorization now so it can be nimble if utilities elect into ERSA.

The subcommittee did not take a formal vote during the presentation; Bateman said he would provide amended forms (not yet signed by President Alexander) to staff following the hearing.